The editorial board had a visit yesterday with Joanne Grossi.
She is the new regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the six states that make up the Middle Atlantic region, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Grossi was a delight, and while the purpose of her visit was to remind senior citizens that they have until Jan. 1 to enroll or make changes in their Medicare enrollment, it was what she had to say about our health and behavior in general that I found very refreshing.
Grossi did not mince any words. And they are words we should all take to heart, especially as we careen into the holiday season, otherwise known as the season of over-indulging.
She reminds us that as a state, too many of us continue to be overweight and continue to smoke.
She rattled off an impressive list of numbers of what these two health situations cost us.
Grossi was very careful to be restrained in what she was saying as the HHS regional director, as opposed to her personal beliefs on what she would like all of us to adopt in terms of a healthier lifestyle.
Just those two issues, and overweight/obese population, and smoking, cost the state $9 billion a year in direct health costs.
Food for thought. Literally.
She is the new regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the six states that make up the Middle Atlantic region, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Grossi was a delight, and while the purpose of her visit was to remind senior citizens that they have until Jan. 1 to enroll or make changes in their Medicare enrollment, it was what she had to say about our health and behavior in general that I found very refreshing.
Grossi did not mince any words. And they are words we should all take to heart, especially as we careen into the holiday season, otherwise known as the season of over-indulging.
She reminds us that as a state, too many of us continue to be overweight and continue to smoke.
She rattled off an impressive list of numbers of what these two health situations cost us.
Grossi was very careful to be restrained in what she was saying as the HHS regional director, as opposed to her personal beliefs on what she would like all of us to adopt in terms of a healthier lifestyle.
Just those two issues, and overweight/obese population, and smoking, cost the state $9 billion a year in direct health costs.
Food for thought. Literally.
Comments